Camera mount

ABSTRACT

A camera mount is configured to securely couple a camera to an object. The camera mount includes a rail mount component and a sliding mount component which can be securely coupled, resulting in a low profile, easy to use camera mount. The rail mount component includes a rail base and two rail wings. The sliding mount component is configured to be inserted into the rail mount component. The sliding amount component further includes two levers and a sliding base with a plurality of protrusions for coupling to a reciprocal mount component. Each lever of the sliding mount component includes a pin and wedge that abut the inside of the rail base to secure the sliding mount component to the rail mount component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/883,431, filed Oct. 14, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,395,031, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates camera mounts, and more specifically, to cameramount for use in coupling a camera to an object.

Description of the Related Art

Digital cameras are increasingly used in outdoors and sportsenvironments. Cameras can be secured to sports equipment, vehicles, auser, and other objects using various camera mounts. Camera mounts canbe bulky and obtrusive, and can be difficult to move/maneuver,diminishing a user's experience with and ability to use a camera coupledto the mount. A low-profile mount that enables one component of themount to easily move relative to another component can beneficiallyincrease the flexibility of a user to use the mount and configure thecapture angle of the camera without the need for a bulky/obtrusivemount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which willbe more readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a illustrates a perspective view of a camera system, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 1b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of the camera system,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1c illustrates a lower mount component uncoupled to a base mountcomponent, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1d illustrates a lower mount component coupled to a base mountcomponent, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of a camera for use with thecamera system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera for usewith the camera system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3a illustrates a bottom perspective view of a camera mount,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3b illustrates a top perspective view of a camera mount, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 4a illustrates a bottom view of a sliding mount component,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4b illustrates a top view of a sliding mount component, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 4c illustrates a side view of a sliding mount component, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 5a illustrates a top view of a rail mount component, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 5b illustrates a bottom view of a rail mount component, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 5c illustrates a side view of a rail mount component, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 6a illustrates a perspective view of a rail mount component lockingmechanism, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6b illustrates a perspective view of a sliding mount component witha stopper component, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7a illustrates a perspective view of the camera mount in a lockedconfiguration, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7b illustrates a perspective view of the camera mount in anunlocked configuration, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8a illustrates a top view of a sliding mount component with leversflipped up, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8b illustrates a bottom view of a rail mount component, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 8c illustrates a perspective view of a rail mount with a ball andsocket component, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

Overview Configuration

A camera mount is configured to securely couple a camera to an object.The camera mount includes a rail mount component and a sliding mountcomponent which can be securely coupled, resulting in a low profile,easy to use camera mount. In one embodiment, the rail mount component isscrewed or otherwise coupled flush to the bottom of a camera or a camerahousing component. The rail mount component includes a rail base and twosymmetrical rail wings protruding outward from and towards the railbase. The rail base can further include two tolerance cuts, a stopper,and two locking holes. The sliding mount component is configured to beinserted into the rail mount component. The sliding amount componentincludes a sliding base with a plurality of protrusions for coupling toa reciprocal mount component and two levers pivotally coupled to thesliding base on opposite sides of the sliding base. Each lever includesa pin and wedge that interface with the inside of the rail base tosecure the sliding mount component to the rail mount component. Eachwedge exerts a force towards the rail base when an associated lever ispivoted into a locking configuration, causing a reciprocal force to acton the sliding mount component such that the sliding mount componentabuts an inside surface of each rail wing. The resulting frictionbetween the sliding mount component and the inside surface of each railwing secures the sliding mount component within the rail mountcomponent. Each pin is inserted into a reciprocal locking hole in therail base, which further secures the sliding mount component within therail mount component. The stopper forcibly prevents the sliding mountcomponent from moving past the stopper within the rail mount component.

Example Camera System Configuration

A camera system includes a camera and a camera housing structured to atleast partially enclose the camera. The camera comprises a camera bodyhaving a camera lens structured on a front surface of the camera body,various indicators on the front of the surface of the camera body (suchas LEDs, displays, and the like), various input mechanisms (such asbuttons, switches, and touch-screen mechanisms), and electronics (e.g.,imaging electronics, power electronics, etc.) internal to the camerabody for capturing images via the camera lens and/or performing otherfunctions. The camera housing includes a lens window structured on thefront surface of the camera housing and configured to substantiallyalign with the camera lens, and one or more indicator windows structuredon the front surface of the camera housing and configured tosubstantially align with the camera indicators.

FIG. 1a illustrates a perspective view of a camera system, according toone embodiment. The camera system includes, among other components, acamera housing 100. In one embodiment, a first housing portion 101includes a front face with four sides (i.e., a top side, bottom side,left side, and right side) structured to form a cavity that receives acamera (e.g. a still camera or video camera) and to couple to a secondhousing portion 102 via a coupling mechanism 103. In other embodiments,the camera housing 100 may not include one or more sides or faces. Forinstance, the camera housing 100 may not include a front or back face,allowing the front face and rear face of the camera to be exposed whenpartially enclosed by the top side, bottom side, left side, and rightside of the camera housing 100.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 has a small form factor (e.g.,a height of approximately 4 to 6 centimeters, a width of approximately 5to 7 centimeters, and a depth of approximately 1 to 4 centimeters), andis lightweight (e.g., approximately 50 to 150 grams). The camera housing100 can be rigid (or substantially rigid) (e.g., plastic, metal,fiberglass, etc.) or pliable (or substantially pliable) (e.g., leather,vinyl, neoprene, etc.). In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 may beappropriately configured for use in various elements. For example, thecamera housing 100 may comprise a waterproof enclosure that protects acamera from water when used, for example, while surfing or scuba diving.

Portions of the camera housing 100 may include exposed areas to allow auser to manipulate buttons on the camera that are associated with thecamera functionality. Alternatively, such areas may be covered with apliable material to allow the user to manipulate the buttons through thecamera housing 100. For example, in one embodiment the top face of thecamera housing 100 includes an outer shutter button 112 structured sothat a shutter button 112 of the camera is substantially aligned withthe outer shutter button 112 when the camera is secured within thecamera housing 100. The shutter button 112 of the camera isoperationally coupled to the outer shutter button 112 so that pressingthe outer shutter button 112 allows the user to operate the camerashutter button.

In one embodiment, the front face of the camera housing 100 includes alens window 104 structured so that a lens of the camera is substantiallyaligned with the lens windows 104 when the camera is secured within thecamera housing 100. The lens window 104 can be adapted for use with aconventional lens, a wide angle lens, a flat lens, or any otherspecialized camera lens. In this embodiment, the lens window 104comprises a waterproof seal so as to maintain the waterproof aspect ofthe housing 100.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 includes one or more securingstructures 120 for securing the camera housing 100 to one of a varietyof mounting devices. For example, FIG. 1a illustrates the camera housingwith a first plurality of protrusions 124 configured to interlock with asecond plurality of protrusions of a lower mount component (as describedin conjunction with FIG. 1c ) such that the first and second pluralitiesof protrusions can interlock in such a way that the protrusion holessubstantially align. Continuing with this example, a turnable handscrewcan be inserted through the aligned holes, coupling the camera housing100 to the lower mount component such that the camera housing canpivotally rotate relative to the lower mount component when the turnablehandscrew is in a first unlocked position, and such that the camerahousing is fixed in position relative to the lower mount component whenthe turnable handscrew is in a second locked position. In otherembodiments, the camera housing 100 can be secured to a different typeof mounting structure, and can be secured to a mounting structure via adifferent type of coupling mechanism.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 includes an indicator window106 structured so that one or more camera indicators are substantiallyaligned with the indicator window 106 when the camera is secured withinthe camera housing 100. The indicator window 106 can be any shape orsize, and can be made of the same material as the remainder of thecamera housing 100, or can be made of any other material, for instance atransparent or translucent material and/or a non-reflective material.

The described housing 100 may also be adapted for a wider range ofdevices of varying shapes, sizes and dimensions besides cameras. Forexample, an expansion module may be attached to housing 100 to addexpanded features to electronic devices such as cell phones, musicplayers, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), global positioning system(“GPS”) units, or other portable electronic devices.

FIG. 1b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of the camera system,according to one embodiment. The second housing portion 102 detachablycouples with the first housing portion 101 opposite the front face ofthe first housing portion. The first housing portion 101 and secondhousing portion 102 are collectively structured to enclose a camerawithin the cavity when the second housing portion 102 is secured to thefirst housing portion 101 in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the second housing portion 102 comprises a door thatallows the camera to be removed from the housing 100. The door pivotsaround a hinge 130 that allows the door 130 to be opened or shut. In oneembodiment, a coupling mechanism 103 located on the top face of thecamera housing 100 detachably couples to a ridge on the second housingportion 102. The coupling mechanism 103 can be pressed downwards tosecure the coupling mechanism 103 into place, thereby securing thesecond housing portion 102 against the first housing portion 101.Likewise, the coupling mechanism 103 can be lifted upwards to releasethe second housing portion 102 from the first housing portion 101,thereby allowing for the removal of a camera from the camera housing 100or the insertion of a camera into the camera housing. In differentembodiments, the coupling mechanism 103 can include, for example, abutton assembly, a buckle assembly, a clip assembly, a hook and loopassembly, a magnet assembly, a ball and catch assembly, a latchassembly, and an adhesive assembly, or any other type of securingmechanism. In one embodiment, the housing 100 includes a watertight sealso that the housing 100 is waterproof when the second housing portion102 is securely compressed against the first housing portion 101.

FIG. 1c illustrates a lower mount component uncoupled from a base mountcomponent, according to one embodiment. The lower mount component 160includes a plurality of protrusions 170. In some embodiments, theplurality of protrusions 170 are configured to interlock with theplurality of protrusions 124 of the camera housing 100 of FIG. 1a suchthat the holes in each protrusion in the sets of protrusions align. Whena screw or pin is inserted into the aligned holes, the camera housing100 can be rotatably secured to the lower mount component 160.

The lower mount component 160 also includes two prongs 180 a and 180 bthat can be flexibly compressed inward when squeezed. The prongs 180 aand 180 b include side securing surfaces 182 a and 182 b (not shown),top securing surfaces 184 a and 184 b, and securing lips 186 a and 186 b(not shown), respectively. The base mount component 188 includessecuring arms 190 a and 190 b, each with side securing surfaces 192 aand 192 b, top securing surfaces 194 a and 194 b, and back securingsurfaces 196 a and 196 b, respectively. The base mount componentadditionally includes spine 198.

When the prongs 180 a and 180 b of the lower mount component 160 aresqueezed together, the width of the prong-side of the lower mountcomponent is reduced to less than the width between the securing arms190 a and 190 b, such that the lower mount component can be slid ontothe base mount component 188. When the lower mount component is slidonto the base mount component 188, the side securing surfaces 182 a and182 b make contact with and slide along the side securing surfaces 192 aand 192 b, respectively. Similarly, the top securing surfaces 184 a and184 b make contact with and slide along the top securing surfaces 194 aand 194 b, respectively. When the lower mount component is completelyslid into the base mount component 188, the securing arms decompressoutward when the securing lips 186 a and 186 b are slid past the backsecuring surfaces 196 a and 196 b. The securing arms flexibly exertforce outward such that the securing lips extend outwards and makecontact with the back securing surfaces or overlap at least partiallywith the back securing surfaces, preventing the lower mount componentfrom sliding backwards and securely coupling the lower mount componentto the base mount component as illustrated in FIG. 1d . The lower mountcomponent can be uncoupled from the base mount component by compressingthe securing arms of the lower mount component such that the width ofthe prong-side of the lower mount component is again reduced to lessthan the width between the securing arms of the base mount component,and sliding the lower mount component backwards past the base mountcomponent.

The lower mount component 160 can include a spine groove on the bottomside of the lower mount component to allow for the reciprocal slidingand insertion of the spine 198 of the base mount component 188 into thespine groove when the lower mount component is slid onto and secured tothe base mount component. The spine of the base mount component exerts aforce upwards on the lower mount component, forcing the lower mountcomponent upward such that the top securing surfaces 184 a and 184 b areforced upward into the top securing surfaces 194 a and 194 b.

The upward force of the lower mount component 160 into the top securingsurfaces 194 a and 194 b of the securing arms 190 a and 190 b result inthe vertical securement of the lower mount component onto the base mountcomponent. In other words, by forcing the lower mount component upwards,the spine 198 prevents any up or down motion by the lower mountcomponent relative to the base mount component. In addition, the upwardsforce exerted by the spine 198 into the lower mount component (the forceexerted by the top securing surfaces 182 a and 182 b into the topsecuring surfaces 192 a and 192 b, respectively), in combination withthe coefficient of friction between both the top securing surfaces 182 aand 192 a and the top securing surfaces 182 b and 192 b, results in afriction force between the lower mount component and the base mountcomponent. The friction force prevents any horizontal movement of thelower mount component relative to the base mount component resultingfrom horizontal forces on the lower mount component less than thefriction force. Thus, the spine 198 secures the lower mount componentonto the base mount component by preventing both the vertical and thehorizontal movement of the lower mount component relative to the basemount component.

It should be noted in alternative embodiments, the lower mount component160 is configured to securely couple to the base mount component 188using other means than those described with regards to FIGS. 1c and 1d .For example, the lower mount component can include a securing protrusionon the bottom side of the lower mount component configured for insertioninto a reciprocal opening within the base mount component, and securedusing, for example, a securing pin or other locking mechanism.Similarly, the securing arms 190 a and 190 b of the base mount componentcan be compressible or flexible such that the arms can be squeezedapart, the lower mount component can be slid onto the base mountcomponent, and the arms can be released, securely coupling the lowermount component to the base mount component. The lower mount componentcan be securely coupled to the base mount component using adhesives,buttons, ties, latches, springs, or any combination of the mechanismsdescribed herein. Any other suitable securing mechanism can be used tosecure the lower mount component to the base mount component. Inaddition, as will be described below in greater detail, the lower mountcomponent, the base mount component, or both can be configured to detachsuch that a camera housing can decouple to the lower mount component orsuch that the lower mount component can decouple from a base mountcomponent in response to a force exerted on the camera housing, thelower mount component, the base mount component, or any combinationthereof.

FIG. 2a illustrates a camera 200 for use with the camera systemsdescribed herein, according to one example embodiment. The camera 200 isconfigured to capture images and video, and to store captured images andvideo for subsequent display or playback. The camera 200 is adapted tofit within a camera housing, such as the housing 100 discussed above orany other housing described herein. As illustrated, the camera 200includes a lens 202 configured to receive light incident upon the lensand to direct received light onto an image sensor internal to the lens.The lens 202 is enclosed by a lens ring 204.

The camera 200 can include various indicators, including the LED lights206 and the LED display 208 shown in FIG. 2a . When the camera 200 isenclosed within the housing 100, the LED display 208 is configured tosubstantially align with the indicator window 106, and the LED lights206 are configured to be visible through the housing 100. The camera 200can also include buttons 210 configured to allow a user of the camera tointeract with the camera, to turn the camera on, and to otherwiseconfigure the operating mode of the camera. The camera 200 can alsoinclude one or more microphones 212 configured to receive and recordaudio signals in conjunction with recording video. The side of thecamera 200 includes an I/O interface 214. Though the embodiment of FIG.2a illustrates the I/O interface 214 enclosed by a protective door, theI/O interface can include any type or number of I/O ports or mechanisms,such as USC ports, HDMI ports, memory card slots, and the like.

FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera 200 for usewith the camera system, according to one embodiment. The camera 200includes a display 218 configured to display camera information or imageinformation (such as captured images or viewfinder images). The cameraalso includes an expansion pack interface 220 configured to receive aremovable expansion pack, such as a display module, an extra batterymodule, a wireless module, and the like. Removable expansion packs, whencoupled to the camera 200, provide additional functionality to thecamera via the expansion pack interface 220.

Camera Mount Embodiments

FIG. 3a illustrates a bottom perspective view of a camera mount,according to one embodiment. The camera mount 300 includes a rail mountcomponent 310 and a sliding mount component 320. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3a , the sliding mount component 320 is inserted within the railmount component 310 in a locked configuration such that the slidingmount component is securely coupled to the rail mount component. Inother embodiments, the sliding mount component 320 can be configured inan unlocked configuration, allowing the sliding mount component 320 tobe inserted into or removed from the rail mount component 310.

FIG. 3b illustrates a top perspective view of a camera mount, accordingto one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 3b , a top surface of therail mount component 310 is shown. In some embodiments, the camera mount300 is securely coupled to a camera or camera housing via the topsurface of the rail mount component 310, for instance using screws, anadhesive, a latch or buckle mechanism, and the like. The camera mount300 can also be coupled to a reciprocal mount component via the slidingmount component 320, which in turn can be coupled to an object, avehicle, sports equipment, or a user, thereby coupling the camera to theobject, vehicle, sports equipment or user.

FIG. 4a illustrates a bottom view of a sliding mount component,according to one embodiment. The sliding mount component 320 includes asliding base with a tapered sliding edge 404 on each side of the slidingbase and a plurality of protrusions 421 protruding outward from thebottom surface of the sliding base. The plurality of protrusions areconfigured to couple to a reciprocal mount component. In someembodiments, the plurality of protrusions, for example, can interlockwith the plurality of protrusions of a reciprocal mount component asdescribed above such that the holes in each protrusion in the sets ofprotrusions align. When a screw or pin is inserted into the alignedholes, the camera mount 300 can be rotatably secured to the reciprocalmount component.

The sliding mount component 320 also includes two levers 422 pivotallycoupled to the sliding base on opposite sides of the sliding base. Eachlever 422 pivots around a corresponding hinge located at an end of thesliding base. In one embodiment, each lever 422 is configured to rotatearound the corresponding hinge towards the protrusions 421, configuringthe camera mount 300 in an unlocked configuration and allowing thesliding mount component 320 to be inserted into or removed from the railmount component 310. In another embodiment, each lever 422 is configuredto rotate around the hinge away from the protrusions 421 andsubstantially co-planar with the sliding base when the sliding mountcomponent 320 is inserted into the rail mount component 310, configuringthe camera mount 300 in a locked configuration and securely coupling thesliding mount component to the rail mount component.

FIG. 4b illustrates a top view of a sliding mount component, accordingto one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 4b , a top surface 400 ofthe sliding mount component 320 is shown. Each lever 422 includes acorresponding pin 402, a corresponding wedge 401, and a correspondingdivot 403 on the top surface of the lever. The pin 402 and wedge 401 areconfigured to forcibly abut the inside surface of the rail mountcomponent 310 to secure the sliding mount component 320 to the railmount component when each lever 422 is rotated away from the protrusions421 and substantially co-planar with the sliding base (when the cameramount 300 is configured in the locked configuration). It should be notedthat when each lever 422 is rotated away from the protrusions 421 and issubstantially co-planar with the sliding base, each wedge 401 protrudesoutward from the top surface 400 of the sliding mount component 320.Further, when each lever 422 is rotated towards the protrusions 421,each wedge 401 protrudes outward from the corresponding lever, but notfrom the top surface 400, beneficially enabling a user to easily insertand remove the sliding mount component 320 into and from the rail mountcomponent 310. Each divot 403 located at an end of the correspondinglever 422 is configured to make it easy for users to rotate the levertowards the protrusions 421 (or “flip up” the lever) to allow for theremoval of the sliding mount component 320 from the rail mount component310 when the sliding mount is inserted within the rail mount componentwhen the camera mount 300 is in the locked configuration.

FIG. 4c illustrates a side view of a sliding mount component, accordingto one embodiment. A tapered sliding edge 404, a pin 402, and a divot403 of the sliding mount component 320 are shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 4c . The tapered sliding edge 404 is tapered at an angle configuredto allow the sliding mount component 320 to be freely inserted into orremoved from the rail mount component 310. In some embodiments, eachtapered sliding edge 404 is angled at the same angle as a correspondingreciprocal rail wing 502 of the rail mount component 310 (as describedbelow) such that friction is generated between each sliding edge and theinside surface of the corresponding reciprocal rail wing when the cameramount 300 is configured in the locked configuration, thus securing thesliding mount component 320 to the rail mount component.

FIG. 5a illustrates a top view of a rail mount component, according toone embodiment. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5a , the railmount component 310 includes a rail base 501. The rail mount component310 also includes two symmetrical rail wings 502 (though only one railwing is visible in FIG. 5a ). In one embodiment, one of the two oppositeends of the rail base 501 is configured to be a dovetail end 506 withtapered rail wings 502, beneficially allowing for easy insertion andremoval of the sliding mount component 320 into and from the rail mountcomponent 310.

The rail base 501 further includes two tolerance cuts 504 and twolocking holes in opposite sides of the rail base. The tolerance cuts 504are configured to accommodate manufacturing tolerances within thesliding mount component 320 and the rail mount component 310. Thelocking holes 505 are configured to allow the sliding mount component320 to securely couple within the rail mount component 310, as describedbelow. The rail base also includes a stopper component 503 in an end ofthe rail base opposite to the dovetail end 506. The stopper component503 is a portion of the rail base 501 protruding inward from the railbase such that the stopper component securely abuts the sliding mountcomponent 320 when the sliding mount component is fully inserted intothe rail mount component 310.

FIG. 5b illustrates a bottom view of a rail mount component, accordingto one embodiment. The tolerance cuts 504 are configured to flex outwardand away from the inside surface of the rail base 501 when the cameramount 300 is in the locked configuration to accommodate the wedges 401which protrude outward from the top surface of the levers 422 andtowards the inside surface of the rail base when the levers of thesliding mount component 320 are rotated away from the protrusions 421(or “flipped down”), coupling the sliding mount component to the railmount component 310.

FIG. 5c illustrates a side view of a rail mount component from theperspective of the dovetail end 506, according to one embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 5c , the rail wings 502 and the protruding stoppercomponent 503 are illustrated. Each of the rail wings 502 is configuredto protrude outward from and towards the rail base 501 at a taperedangle. When the camera mount 300 is configured in the lockedconfiguration, the sliding mount component 320 is inserted within therail mount component 310, and each wedge 401 exerts a force towards theinside surface of the rail base 501 when the corresponding lever 422 isrotated to be substantially co-planar with the sliding base of thesliding mount component 320, causing a reciprocal force to act on thesliding mount component such that each tapered sliding edge 404 abuts aninside surface of a corresponding rail wing 502. The resulting frictionbetween the tapered sliding edge 404 and the inside surface of thecorresponding rail wing 502 forcibly secures the sliding mount component320 within the rail mount component 310. As noted above, the angle ofeach tapered sliding edge 404 is the same or similar to the angle of theinside surface of the corresponding rail wing 502.

FIG. 6a illustrates a perspective view of a rail mount component lockingmechanism, according to one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 6a ,the lever 422 of the sliding mount component 320 is flipped up,illustrating the pin 402 and the reciprocal locking hole 505 located inthe rail base. The pin 402 aligns with the locking hole 505 such thatwhen the lever 422 is rotated towards the rail base 501, the pin 402 isinserted into the locking hole 505, thus further securing the slidingmount component 320 within the rail mount component 310.

FIG. 6b illustrates a perspective view of a sliding mount componentstopper component, according to one embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6b , the sliding mount component 320 is inserted within the railmount component 310 from the dovetail end 506 of the rail mountcomponent. In one embodiment, the bottom end 405 of the sliding baseabuts the protruding stopper component 503 such that the stoppercomponent forcibly prevents the sliding mount component 320 from movingpast the stopper within the rail mount component 310. The stoppercomponent 503 is also configured to allow users, when the sliding mountcomponent 320 is fully inserted into the rail mount component 310 (suchthat the bottom end 405 of the sliding base abuts the stopper component503), to quickly and easily align the pins 402 with the reciprocallocking holes 505.

FIG. 7a illustrates a perspective view of the camera mount in a lockedconfiguration, according to one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 7a, the levers are flipped down, configuring the camera mount 300 into alocked configuration, securely coupling the sliding mount component tothe rail mount component.

FIG. 7b illustrates a perspective view of in the camera mount in anunlocked configuration, according to one embodiment. In the embodimentof FIG. 7b , the sliding mount component is slid within the rail mountcomponent with the levers flipped up, the bottom end abutting thestopper component in the rail base.

FIG. 8a illustrates a top view of a sliding mount component 320 withlevers flipped up, according to one embodiment. FIG. 8b illustrates abottom view of a rail mount component 310, according to one embodiment.FIG. 8c illustrates a perspective view of a camera mount with a ball andsocket component, according to one embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG.8c , the sliding mount component is slid within the rail mount componentin a locked configuration. The sliding mount component includes a socketcomponent 801 on the bottom surface of the sliding mount component,configured to couple to a reciprocal ball mount component, which in turncan be coupled to an object, a vehicle, sports equipment, or a user,thereby coupling the camera to the object, vehicle, sports equipment oruser. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the slidingmount component of FIG. 8c and throughout the application herein canalso include a ball mount component, a buckle component, an adhesivecomponent, a magnetic component, or any other suitable componentconfigured to couple to a reciprocal mount component.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used hereinis not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in directphysical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may alsoencompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or arestructured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skilled in the art willappreciate still additional alternative structural and functionaldesigns for detachable camera mounts as disclosed from the principlesherein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have beenillustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are not limited to the precise construction and componentsdisclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, whichwill be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in thearrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosedherein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A camera mount comprising: a rail mountcomponent comprising a rail base, a first rail wing, and a second railwing, the first rail wing and the second rail wing extendinghorizontally along opposite sides of the rail base, the first rail wingand the second rail wing protruding outward from and towards the railbase such that an angle between the rail base and each of the first railwing and the second rail wing is less than 90 degrees, wherein the railbase includes one or more tolerance cuts; and a sliding mount componentconfigured for insertion into the rail mount component, the slidingmount component comprising a sliding base and a lever pivotally coupledto the sliding base, the lever comprising an associated wedge such thatwhen the lever is in a locked configuration, the associated wedge exertsa force towards the rail base such that a reciprocal force is exertedoutward by the rail mount component upon the sliding mount componentcausing a friction force between the sliding mount component and aninside surface of each of the first rail wing and the second rail wing,securely affixing the sliding mount component to the rail mountcomponent, the sliding mount component further comprising a socketcomponent configured to rotatably couple to a reciprocal ball component,wherein each tolerance cut is configured to flex outward away from theinside surface of the rail base when the lever is configured in thelocked configuration.
 2. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the leveris pivotally coupled to the sliding base via a corresponding hinge, thehinge configured to allow the lever to rotate towards or away from thesliding base.
 3. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the lever is inthe locked configuration when the lever is rotated away from the slidingbase.
 4. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the lever can beconfigured in an unlocked configured when the lever is rotated towardsthe sliding base, allowing the sliding mount component to be insertedinto or removed from the rail mount component.
 5. The camera mount ofclaim 1, wherein the first rail wing is tapered at a first angle and thesecond rail wing is tapered at a second angle, wherein the sliding baseincludes a first sliding edge on a first side of the sliding base and asecond sliding edge on a second side of the sliding base opposite thefirst side, the first sliding edge tapered at substantially the sameangle as the first angle and the second sliding edge tapered atsubstantially the same angle as the second angle.
 6. The camera mount ofclaim 1, wherein the rail base includes a locking hole and wherein thelever includes a pin protruding outward from the lever, the locking holeconfigured to align with the pin of the lever when the lever is in thelocked configuration such that the pin of the lever inserts into thelocking hole, further securing the sliding mount component to the railmount component.
 7. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the rail baseincludes a stopper component protruding inward from a first end of therail base such that the stopper component is configured to abut thesliding mount component when the sliding mount component is fullyinserted into the rail mount component from a second end of the railbase, preventing the sliding mount component from being inserted beyondthe stopper component.
 8. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein a firstend of the rail mount component includes a dovetail such that the firstrail wing and the second rail wing taper towards the first end of therail mount component.
 9. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein thereciprocal ball component is coupled to a camera housing configured toat least partially secure a camera.
 10. The cameral mount of claim 5,wherein the reciprocal force exerted outward by the rail mount componentupon the sliding mount component causes a friction force between thefirst sliding edge and the inside surface of the first rail wing andbetween the second sliding edge and the inside surface of the secondrail wing.
 11. A camera mount comprising: a rail mount componentconfigured to securely couple to an object and comprising one or moretolerance cuts; and a sliding mount component configured for insertioninto the rail mount component, the sliding mount component comprising asliding base, a socket component configured to rotatably couple to areciprocal ball component, and one or more levers pivotally coupled tothe sliding base, each lever comprising a wedge such that when the leveris configured in a locked configuration, the wedge exerts a forcetowards the rail mount component such that a reciprocal force is exertedoutward by the rail mount component upon the sliding mount componentcausing a friction force between the sliding mount component and therail mount component, securely affixing the sliding mount component tothe rail mount component, wherein each tolerance cut is configured toflex outward away from an inside surface of the rail mount componentwhen the lever is configured in the locked configuration.
 12. The cameramount of claim 11, wherein each lever is pivotally coupled to thesliding base via a corresponding hinge, the hinge configured to allowthe lever to rotate towards or away from the sliding base.
 13. Thecamera mount of claim 11, wherein each lever is in the lockedconfiguration when the lever is rotated away from the sliding base. 14.The camera mount of claim 11, wherein each lever can be configured in anunlocked configured when the lever is rotated towards the sliding base,allowing the sliding mount component to be inserted into or removed fromthe rail mount component.
 15. The cameral mount of claim 11, wherein thereciprocal force is exerted by an inside surface of the rail mountcomponent and an outside surface of the sliding mount component.
 16. Thecamera mount of claim 11, wherein the rail mount component includes alocking hole and wherein a lever includes a pin protruding outward fromthe lever, the locking hole configured to align with the pin of thelever when the lever is in the locked configuration such that the pin ofthe lever inserts into the locking hole, further securing the slidingmount component to the rail mount component.
 17. The camera mount ofclaim 11, wherein the rail mount component includes a stopper componentprotruding inward from a first end of the rail mount component such thatthe stopper component is configured to abut the sliding mount componentwhen the sliding mount component is fully inserted into the rail mountcomponent from a second end of the rail mount component, preventing thesliding mount component from being inserted beyond the stoppercomponent.
 18. The camera mount of claim 11, wherein the reciprocal ballcomponent is coupled to a camera housing configured to at leastpartially secure a camera.